Driving and controlling means for conveyers for board machines



May 2 1933@ D. Q. .JEFFREY ET AL DRIVNG AND CONTROLLING MEANS FOR CONVEYERS FOR BOARD MACHINES Filed Dec. 9, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet l l l Q LWN MG- .ay- 2, i933o D. JEFFREY ET AL. 399069851 DRIVING AND CONTROLLING MEANS FOR CONVEYERS FOR BOARD MACHINES Filed De@n 9, 1931 .5 sheets-sheet 2 May 2 933- D. c. JEFFREY ETAL,

DRIVING AND CONTROLLING MEANS FOR CONVEYERS FOR BOARD MACHINES Filed Dec. 9, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 May 2, w33o D. c. JEFFREY m' AL ll DRIVING AND CONTROLLING MEANS FOR CONVEYERS FOB BOARD MACHINES Filed Deo. 9, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 May 2. 1933 D. c. JEFFREY ET AL DRIVING AND CONTROLLING MEANS FOR CONVEYERS FOR BOARD MACHNES Filed Dec. 9, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 machine.

latented lli/lay 2, 1933 ears ries DOUGLAS C. JEFFREY AND HEIRY J. VJQLE, OF AKRON, NEW' YORK, ASSIGNORS T0 UNIVERSAL GYPSUL @a LIME C0., OF WARE DRIVINGA AND CONTROLLNG LVEAJTQ R CHICAGO, ILLNOES, A CORPORATION OFDELA- CON'V'EYERS FOR BOARD MACHINEASV Application filed December 9, 1931. Sera! No. 5719,921.

Uur invention relates to driving and controlling means for conveyers for board machines designed primarily for taking the severed board sections from the cutting means of a gypsum wall board or plaster board It is one of the objects of our invention to provide an improved form and arrangement of parts by which conveyer means in position to tale the severed sections of board from a board machine may be intermittently driven under tie control of the movement of the board therealong so that suchy conveyer means may be idle during the period of movement of the beard past the cutting apparatus until section of board is severed and may then' be driven to draw the board section quickly away from the cutting mechanism. lt is one of the objects of our invention to provide an arrangement of this type together with means for throwing the conveyer driving means out of operation as soon as the board section has passed out of its influence.

It is one of the objects of our invention to provide means adapted alternatively. upon a manual adjustment to be thrown into use when the board is being cut into comparatively. short lengths for throwing the conveyer driving means out of operation very shortly after the start of the movement of a board section along the conveyer so that such board section may be stopped after it has advanced al distance slightly greater than its length at which new position it is permitted to remain until the next succeeding section'is severed, so that said twosections may move forward together in .slightly spaced relation toleach other.

It is one of th-e objects of our invention to provide means adapted for use alternatively when the board is being cut into still shorter lengths for throwing the conveyer driving means out of operation shortly after the start of the movement of a board section along the conveyer for stopping the boardy section to await the neXt succeeding board section, and then throwing the driving means again out of operation shortly after the start of the Inovement of said two board sections for stopping said two sections to await a third'board section, so that said three sections may move forward together in slightly spaced relation to each other.

lt is one ofthe objects of our invention to provide an arrangement by which mechanism of the type set forth for controlling the movement of the intermittently driven conveyer may be actuated by the trip arm mechanism employed for actuating the board severing mechanism. It is another object of our invention to provide an arrangement of this type in which the means for controlling the movement of the intermittently driven conveyer may be given its required adjustments for the diiferent opera-tions as above setforth automatically upon an adjustment of the trip arm mechanismy for effecting the production of different lengths of board section.

It is one of the objects of our invention to provide an arrangement of the type set forth in which the intermittently driven meansfor carrying the board sections forward shall be idle at all times after the forward end of the boa-rd has advanced any considerable distance beyond the position of the cutter head and shall remain idle until the neXt following board section has been severed, whereby the conveyer means may be prevented from operating in contact with such considerable length of board while such board is held against forward movement.

It is one of the objects of our invention to provide means of the type above set forth actuated by the movement of the cutting mechanism into operative cutting position for throwing a clutch intermittently into and out of operation for driving the cenveyer in the desired timed relation for effecting the varied results as above set forth. To this end, it is our object to provide differentially acting means for controlling the operation of the mechanism by which the clutch is thrown into and out of operation, such differentially acting means being arranged preferably to include a rack bar which may be idle under some circumstances, as when full length board sections are being handled, may operate in one manner when shorter sections are being handled, for causing two board sections to go forward together, and may operate in a different manner when still shorter sections are being handled, as when three sections are to be forwarded together.

It is another obj ect of our invention to improve mechanism of this type in sundry details hereinafter pointed out. rlhe preferred means by which we have accomplished our several objects are illustrated in the drawings and are hereinafter specifically described. That which we believe to be new and desire to cover by Letters Patent is set forth in the claims.

In the drawings.-

Fig. 1 is a side view, partly in section, and very largely diagrammatic, with certain of the parts omitted and with merely the location of other parts indicated by dotted lilies;

Fig. 2 is also quite diagrammatic, being substantially a section at line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

F ig. 3 is a horizontal .sectional view taken at line 3-3'of Fig. 1;

Figs. 4.- and 5 are views similar to Fig. 3 but showing changed positions of some of the parts;

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional vview taken on an enlarged scale at the line 6-6 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view taken at the line 7-7 of Fig. 6;

Fig. Sis a view similar to a portion of Fig. 7 but showing a changed position of the parts;

Fig. 9 is a side view of the parts indicated by the numeral 45 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 10 is a side View of a portion of the parts shown in Fig. 9 as seen from the opposite side; y

- Fig. 11 is a yvertical sectional view taken at the line 11-11 of Fig. 9;

Figs. 12, 13,14; and l5 are similar generally to Fig. 9 but show changed positions of the parts, with certain of the parts omitted in certain of the views; and

Figs. 16, 17 and 18 are diagram views showing certain features of the operation of the machine upon different lengths of board section.

Referring now to the several figuresk of the drawings, in which corresponding parts are indicated by the same reference characters, 20-21 indicate side bars of the speed roll section of a board machine extending forward from the cutting mechanism of the board machine. the reciprocating cutter head 22 only of which is shown in the drawings. Two idler rollers 23 are mounted between the side bars adjacent to the cutting mechanism, and additional idler rollers 2-1 are interposed be-V tween the driven rollers at various pointsas indicated. In the arrangement as shown, the first three rollers 25 toward the right in said Fig. 2 from said idler rollers 23 are driven intermittently as hereinafter described by sprocket chain driving means 26 at the near side of the machine as shown in said Fig. 2, together with other rollers 25 alternating with the idler rollers 24. Rollers 27 and 28, together with alternate rollers to the right of the roller 28 in the construction shown in Fig. 2, are driven constantly during the operation of the machine by sprocket chain driving means 29 at the near side of the machine. such driving means being actuated from any suitable source of power not illustrated. In the arrangement shown, two rollers 30 located between the intermittently driven rollers 25 and the constantly driven rollers 27 and 28 are driven constantly by power from the roller 27, when desired, through the medium of sprocket chain driving means 31 at the far side of the machine as shown in Fig. 2. Idler rollers 32 are provided between the driven rollers as shown. In our machine as illustrated, the sprocket chain driving mecha- `nism 26 is driven intermittently by power from the constantly driven roller 27.

In Figs. 16, 17 and 18, which show diagrammatically the arrangement as above described, the idler roll section comprising the rollers 23 is indicated by the numeral 33, the intermittent speed roll section comprising the rollers 25 is indicated by the numeral 34; and the constantly driven speed roll section comprising the rollers 30, 27, 28, etc., is indicated by the numeral 35.

In the arrangement as shown in Fig. 18, a board section 36 which is 4 feet wide and 11 feet long is Vshown at about the position at which the cutting mechanism represented by the cutter head 22 is operative for cutting the section from the continuous strip of board being formed. The arrangement of our mechanism is such that at the moment when the cutting operation is effected the rollers 25 are thrown into operation 'for moving the section 36 quickly to the right in said Fig. 18 out of the way for delivery to a suitable transfer mechanism located at the right. In this arrangement, means is provided, controlled by the operative movement of the cutter head 22 toward the right in said ligure for throwing the speed rollers 25 out of operation after the board section 36 has moved sufficiently to the right for attaining effective engagement with the constantly driven rollers for insuring the continuous forward movement of the section toward the right. This same operation follows for each successive board section in turn. In each instance, when the continuous strip of board reaches a position at which it has an engagement with a sufficient number of the rollers 25 suoli advancing board strip by its frictional engagement serves to rotate the whole series of rollers 25 at an idling speed corresponding to the speed of movement of the board strip.

In the arrangement shown in Fig. 16, three board sections each about 3 feet long are shown in position, such board sections being indicated bythe numerals 37, 38 and 39, the

section 39 being in substantially the position at which the cutting mechanism is operative for severing the section from the continuous strip of board as hereinafter explained. The arrangement is such that when the cutting operation is effected the rollers 25 are thrown into operation for moving the three board sections 37, 88 and 39 together toward the right in said Fig. 16 out of the way for delivery to the transfer mechanism. For operation upon sections of this length, the parts are adjusted for continuing the operation of the speed rollers 25 not only until the sections 37, 38 and 89 are out ofthe way but for a slightly longer period until the No. 1 board of the next succeeding series of three boards is also cut off and forwarded to its N o. 2 position,-corresponding to the position ofthe section 38 as shown. The adjustment of the parts is such that this No. 1 board is moved forward in this way beyond the cutter head 22 a distance very slightly greater than the length of the section. In this arrangement, the roller 25 farthest to the left in Fig. 2 is kept rotating after the strip of board is moved forward into Contact with such roller and before the No. 1 section has been severed. This is not particularly objectionable by reason of the fact that the strip of board bears very lightly upon such roller 25 since it is only the forward end of the strip which engages the roller.

v After the No. 1 board section is in said No. 2 position, the speed roll section 34 remains silent until the No. 2 board section is cut olf,

vwhereupon the No. 1 and the No. 2 board sections are forwarded a distance slightly greater than the length of one of said sections, until said No. 'l and No. 2 sections reach the positions as shown in said 16, when the rollers 25 are again silenced. As will be readily understood, when the No. 1 board stands in the No. 2 position, the forwardend of the continuous strip of board engages theY roller 25 farthest toward the left rin said Fig.`2 so as to have a tendency to move the intermittently driven speed roll section by such frictional engagement. The grip of the strip on such board is so light, however, that the board slips lightly across the roller without edecting any rotation thereof. lVith the No. 1 and No. 2 sections in the advanced positions as shown in said Fig. 16, the No. 3 board section soon reaches its cut-off position and said three sections are carried forward together as above explained.

lathe angement shown in Fig. 17, two boardy sections 40 and 41 are shown in position, each about 4 feet long, the section 41 being in substantially the position at which the cutting mechanism is operative for severing the section from the continuous strip of board. rlhe arrangement is such that when the cutting operation is effected the rollers 25 are thrown into operation for moving the two sections 40 and 41 together toward the right in said F ig. 17 out of the way for delivery to the transfer mechanism. For operation upon sections of this length,

ing the rollers 25 is driven for carrying the two sections together to the right and is continued in rotation until th-e No. 1 board sectionof the next succeeding series of two sections is brought to the No. 2 position as shown in Fig. 17. The rollers 25 are then silenced until the No. 2 board section reaches the position as shown in said F ig. 17 at which time the rollers 25 are again started into rotation for carrying the two sections away toward the right and for carrying the N o. 1 board sectiony of the next succeeding series into its No. 2 position. i

ln Fig. 17, we have shown in dotted lines extensions of the board 40 toward the right for representing a board section 42 of a length of approximately 5 feet, and a board section 43 of a length of approximately 6 feet. As will be seen by an examination of said figure, the 6 foot board section 48, in the position as shown in said Fig. 17 at which the drive of the speed rollers 25 is discontinued, extends to such a distance toward the right in said figure as to insure that such section 43 will be carried forward continuously by reason of its engagement with the constantly driven rollers located at the right of such intermittently driven rollers 25. rllhe 5 foot section 42, on the other hand, in the position as shown in said F ig. 17 at which the drive of the speed rollers 2511s discontinued, is not far enough to the right in said figure for engagement with the constantly driven rollers, and such 5 foot section is accordingly stopped in the No. 2 position. 1

ln the arrangement shown in Fig. 1, the cutter lead 22 is provided with a link 44 rigidly connected therewith and extending toward the right therefrom. This link 44 is connected at its forward end with a set of mechanism represented diagrammatically by a dotted line showing indicated by the numeral'45, the construction and arrangement of such parts being shown on a. larger -scale in other figures of the drawings.

As is shown in said Fig. 1, a lever 46 is provided, pivotally mounted at an intermediate point upon the frame bar 21 which also is indicated by dotted lines in said figure, such lever being operatively connected with said mechanism 45 in the manner hereinafter described for controlling the adjustments of said mechanism for operation upon lboard sections of different lengths. A spring 46a diagrammatica-lly shown serves normally to hold the lever yieldingly in the position as illustrated turned to the limit of vits swinging movement in counter-clockwise dithe intermittent speed roll section compris- 5 70 reetion in Fig. 1 by engagement with a stop 465.

The upper end of the lever 46 has an articulated connection with the outer end of one arm of a bell crank lever 47 pivotally mounted on the lower end of a downwardly extending bracket 48 carried by a longitudinally extending bar 49 secured between two cross bars 50 and 51. Two slidev bars 52-53 are secured in spaced relation to each other below the bar 49 for supporting a slide block 54 adjustably in position. rlhe slide block 54 in turn is provided with a downwardly extending arm 55 pivotally mounted thereon in position to engage the forward end of the strip of board passing forwardly toward the right in Fig. 1 along the speed rollers 25 for setting the cutting mechanism into operation for cutting the desired length of sections from the strip of board, such length being controlled by the position at which the slide block 54 is set, all as is well understood in theart. At its rear end, the slide block 54 is provided with a downwardly extending lug 56 in position to engage the longitudinally extending arm of the bell crank lever 47 for giving said lever a movement in counter-clockwise direction in Fig. 3 as the slide block 54 is adjusted toward the left in Fig. 1, the lug 56 being operative upon the bell crank lever 47 by a camming engagement therewith.

The arrangement of the parts is such that when the slide block 54 and the trip arm 55 are in such a position as that shown in Fig. 1 for cutting board sections of a length of about 8 feet, or when such parts are adjusted toward the right in said iigure for increasing the length of sections up to 12 feet, for example, the lever 47 stands in the position as shown in Fig. 3, and the lever 46 in the position as shown in Figs. 1 and 15. Then the slide block 54 and the trip arm 55 are adjusted toward the left in Fig. 1 for cutting board sections of a length of 4 or 5 feet, the lever 47 is swung in counter-clockwise direction in Fig. 3 to the position as shown in Fig. 4, corresponding to the position of the lever 46 as shown in Figs. 9, 10 and 12. Then the slide block 54 and the trip arm 55 are adjusted toward the left still farther in Fig. 1 for cutting board sections of a length of 3 feet, the lever 47 is swung farther in counterclockwise direction in Fig. 4 to the position as shown in Fig. 5, corresponding to the position of the lever 46 as shown in Figs. 13 and 14. i

The construction is such that when the slide block 54 is adjusted manually along the slide bars 52 and 53, the leverl 46 is automatically adjusted for maintaining the relationships as above set forth.

Themeans for driving the roller 27 constantly and for driving the rollers 25 intermittently lfrom the roller 27 comprises a sprocket gear 29a (see Fig. 6) forming a part of the sprocket chain driving means 29, such gear 29a being tixedly mounted on the axle 57 of said roller 27. The sprocket chain driving means 26 by which the rollers 25 are drivof a clutch of any approved type adapted to be thrown into opera-tion by a clutch arm 61 pivotally mounted on a bracket 62 connected with the adjacent frame bar 21, such clutch arm being bifurcated at its upper end for operating a grooved head 63 for throwing the clutch into operation upon a movement of the head toward the left in Fig. 6 and out of operation upon a movement of the head toward the right in said figure. clutch is in operation, the rollers 25 are, of course, driven by power from the roller 27 and at the same speed. lVhen the clutch is thrown out of operation, the drive of the rollers 25 ceases.

rlhe means for moving the clutch arm 61 for throwing the clutch into and out of operation comprises rtwo short arms 64 pivotally mounted on a horizontally extending pin or bolt 65 carried by a bracket 66 extending out wardly from the lower edge of the frame bar 21. Between the upper ends of the arms 64 there are mounted a roller 67 and an upward- 'ly extending pin 68 by means of a pin'or rivet 69. 'This pin 68. passes through a suitable opening in the clutch arm 61, having nuts 70 secured by screw threads on its upper end in Contact with the arm 61 and having a coiled spring 71 interposed between the arm 61 and a shoulder on the ylower end portion of the pin. By this arrangement, when the roller 67 is moved upwardly, a spring pressure is applied upwardly on the arm 61, serving to throw the clutch 59-60 into operation for driving the rollers 25. In the construction illustrated, such upward movement of the roller 67 is effected through the medium of a reciprocatory bar 72 interposed between the roller 67 and the roller 73 carried by the bolt 65, such bar 72 being provided with an actuating cam 74 on its upper face adapted to displace the roller 67 upwardly when the bar 72 is moved toward the right in Fig. 7.

The means for controlling the vertical movements of the arm 64 for throwing the clutch 59-60 into and out of operation comprises a stop lever 75 pivotally mounted on the bracket 66 adjacent to said arms 64, a spring 7 6 being connected between the lever and the bracket for holding the lever yieldingly in the position as shown in Fig. 8 swung to-the limit of its motion toward the right. In the position as shown in Fig. 8, the lever 75y engages the lower face of the roller 67, serving to hold the arms 64 in their raised polVhen the ed with the members 59 and 60, respectively, .75

sition independently of the cam 74. In the arrangement shown, the lever is operated by a. link 77 pivotally connected with the upper end of the lever' and extending toward the left in Figs. 8 and 9.

rEhe means shown in Figs. 9 to 15 is provided for operatively connecting the bar 72 with the link 44 for operation thereby and YFor giving the link 77 operative movements in the dcsed sequence and timed relation, such means being controlled by its connection with the lever` 4G by which automatic regulation is effected in accordance with the length of board sections being cut and handled. ln the arrangement shown, the rear end of the bar 72 (see Figs. 9 and 11) is connected with side plates 78 and 79 whose rear end portions are connected with the forward end of the link 44, a turned end of which works in longitudinally extending slots 80 in said plates. The arrangement issuch that when the machine is operating' on board sections of a length of 4feet or more, so that the lever 4G is standing' either in the position as shown in Figs. 9, 10 and 12 or in the position as shown in Fig'. 15, the link 44 upon a forward movement. of the cutter head 22 toward the right in Fig'. 9 will move first independently7 of the bar 72 by reason of the slots 80: that later the bar 72 will move foi'- ward with the link 44 until such link reaches the limit of its forward movement; that thereupon the link 44 will move backwardly independently of the bar 72 for a distance corresponding to the length of the slots 80; and that thereupon the bar 72 will be drawn toward the left with the link 44. The arrangement is such that by this series of movements of the bar 72 the cam 74 will be maintained underneath the roller 67 for such a length of time as to insure the desired eX- tent of movement of the board sections by the intermittently driven rollers 25 brought about by the corresponding period of operation of the clutch :S9-80.

The arrangement in the construction shown issuch, as above set forth. that when the machine is operating on 4 foot board sections or 5 foot board sections and when the clutch is thrown into operation by the forward movement of the bar 72 and is thrown out of operation by the succeeding backward movement of the bar, each severed board section will be moved forward a distance greater than its length but short enough tokeep the section clear of the constantly driven rollersat the right, and at the same time such that when. the machine is operating upon Vboard sections of a. length of 6 to 12 feet and moves such sections forwardly by the same distance the board section will have advanced during such forwarding movement a suflicient. distance for engagement with the constantly driven. tellers se t0 insure that such board .section will continue its movenient without a stop. 3

In the arrangement shown, means is provided for effectively closing the slots 8O for providing a differential operation of the bar 72 by the link 44. This means comprises a dog 81 pivotally mounted on a pivot pin 82 between the plates 78 and 79, as is best shown in Fig. 12, such dog 81 comprising at its free end a lng portion 83 which is adapted when in its raised position as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 13 to prevent the rearward movement of the link 44 along the slots 80. lVhen the dog 81 is in such changed position as indicated in said Fig. 13, the bar 72 will be caused to move back and forth with the link 44 without any substantial lost motion between them.

Means is provided for moving the dog 81 upwardly upon the movement of the lever 46 from the position as shown in Fig. 12 to thev position as shown in Fig. 13. This means comprises a plate 84 along which the dog 81 rides in its movement back and forth with the plates 78 and 79. This plate 84 is mounted on the rear end of an arm 85 which is pivotally mounted upon a bolt 86 so as to swing freely thereabout.` Upon its lower face, the plate 84 is provided witha diagonally disposed spring 87 which engages a pin 88 carried bythe lever 46. The arrangement is such that when the lever 46 stands in the position as shown in Fig. -12 the plate 84 and the dog 81 are maintained in their lowered position asv shown `in said Fig. 12, and that when the lever 46 is swung in clockwise direction in said Fig. 12 to the position as shown in Fig. 13 the pin 88 by engagement with the diagonally disposed spring 87 causes the plate 84 to move upwardly into the posivion as shown inv Figs. 13 and 14, with the accompanyinv' upward movement of the dog By the provision of a yielding part 87 for actuating the plate k84 fromthe lever 46, we are enabled to move the lever 46to its adjusted position without regard to the position ofthe link 44. If the link 44 is at or near the rear end of its stroke so as to interfere with the upward movement of the dog 81, the part 87 yields vsuthciently so as to permit the plate 84 to remain in its lowered position until the link 44 has vbeen moved again toward the right in Fig. 13 so as to permit the dog 81 'to move upwardly into the position as shown in said ligure. By the use of the dog 81 asV 'above described, the effective length of the reciprocating members 44 and 72 is shortened, so that the bar 72 is normally held spaced farther toward the left in Fig. 14 than the position of said bar 72` when the dog 81 is in its lowered position. Vith the link 44 and the bar 72 rigidly connected in effect as above described and with the effective length of the two parts shortened, the cam 74 is maintained for a shorter l-ength of time underneath the roller 67 upon successive strokes of the link 44.V The arrangement is such that with the parts in the condition as shown in Figs. 13 and 14 for operation upon board sections of a length of 3 feet, when the clutch is thrown into operation by the forward movement of the bar 72 and is thrown out of operation by the succeeding backward movement of the bar, each severed board section is moved forward a distance only slightly greater than its length. Under such circumstances, the forward edge of the No. 1 board section after two successive short forward movements is still well clear of the constantly driven rollers.

Means is provided for giving the desired movements to the link 77 for maintaining the clutch 59-60 in operation independently of the cam 74 carried by the bar 72. This means is so arranged that said link 77 is kept stationary when the machine is operating upon board sections of a length of 6 feet or more; that said link 77 is given a movementtoward the right in Fig. 8 upon each alternate forward stroke of the link 44 when the machine is operating on board sections of a length of 4 or 5 feet for holding the clutch 59-60 in continuous operation during the next following strokes of the link 44 in opposite directions toward the left in said Fig. 8 and then again toward the right; and that said link 77 is given a movement toward the right in said Fig. 8 upon each third forward stroke of the'link 44 when the machine is operating on 3 foot board sections for holding the clutch in continuous operation upon each such third forward stroke until the following forward stroke.

For accomplishing these results, we have provided mechanism located adjacent to the point where the link 44 is connected to the bar 72 through the medium of the side plates 78 and 79, such mechanism being supported largely by a plate 89 extending downwardly from the lower edge of the frame bar 21 where it is held in position by bolts including the bolt 86 above referred to. Another plate 90 is held in position in spaced relation to the plate 89 by bolts 91 and 92, the side plates 78 and 79 being located between said plates 89 and 90 and being supported in position by rollers 93 mounted on said bolts 91 and 92. Between the side-plates 7 8y and 79 we have provided a key member 94 in the form of a rack bar having teeth on its upper face, and provided on its lower face with a pin 95 arranged transversely of the key and extending at both side faces of the key beyond the side plates 78 and 79. The` arrangement is such that the key 94 and the pin 95 by their movements back and forth as hereinafter described control the movements of the link 77 by which the stop arm 75 ismoved into and out Aofoperative position for holding the clutch 59-60 in operation independently of the cam 74.

For effecting this result, a lever 96 is provided, pivotally mounted on the bolt 92 and having its upper end pivotally connected with the link 77, suoli lever 96 extending rearwardly from the bolt 92 (toward the right in Fig. 10) along the face of the plate 89. The arrangement is such that the pin 95 carried by the key 94 engages the upper edge of the rearwardly extending portion of the lever 96 serving to hold such lever in the position as shown in Fig. 12 against the action of the spring 76 (see Fig. 7). Willen, however, the pin 95 is moved toward the right in said F 12 into such position as to engage a notch 97 in the rearwardly extending portion of the lever 96, the spring 76 is free to move said lever 96 in clockwise direction as shown in said Fig. 12 into the position as shown in Fig. 14, in which position of the lever 96 the stop arm 75 is located underneath the roller 67 as shown in Fig. 8 for holding the clutch 59-60 in operation after the movement of the cam 74 toward the left in said Fig. 8.

For controlling the position of the key 94, we have provided a link 98 connected with the key by means of a bracket 99 as is best shown in F 12, sai-d link 98 having its rear end portion in sliding engagement with the lower end portionv of the lever 46. As is clearly shown in Fig. 13, the rear end of the link 98 beyond the lever 46 is provided with a spring 100 bearing at its forward end against the lever 46 and at its rear end against a collar 101 mounted on the link. The arrangement is such that when the lever 46 is swung to the position as shown in Fig. 15, corresponding to the condition of the machine for operation upon board sections of a length of 6 feet or more, the lower end of the lever 46 by engagement with a collar 102 carried by the link 98 forces the link 98 and the key 94 forward beyond the position as shown in Fig. 14 at which the pin 95 engages the notch 97 of the lever 96, serving in such position of the key 94 to hold the lever 96 in the position as shown in said Fig. 15 for maintaining the stop arm 75 in its inoperative position as shown in Fig. 7

As is clearly shown in Fig. 12, the side plate 78 is provided with a pivotally mounted dog 103 thereon in position to engage the top face of the key 94. The dog 103 is located in such position that when the parts are in the position as shown in Fig. 15 corresponding to operation ofthe machine upon board sections of a length of 6 feet or more, the forward end of such dog does not travel far enough upon an operative stroke of the link 44 toward the right for engagement with the teeth of the key 94. TNhen, however, the key 94 has been moved rearwardly by an adjustment of the lever 46 into the position as shown in Fig. 12,

the dog 103 is adapted upon an operative stroke of the link 44 toward the right in said ligure to engage one of the teeth of the key for moving the key forwardly therewith.

By the use of the arrangement as above described, when the machine is operating on board sections of a length of 6 feet or more, the stop arm 75 is kept constantly out of operation so that the clutch 59-60 is controlled only by the bar 72 and the cam 74 so as to cause the rollers 25 to be rotated at each period of operation only for a sufficient time for bringing the board section thereon into position to be carried forward by the constantly driven rollers.

.Vith the parts arranged for operation on boards of a lengthof 4 or 5 feet as shown in Figs. 9 and 12, the movement of the key toward the left in said ligures is limited by a dog 104 pivotally mounted on the side plate 78 so as to have its free end disposed in the path of said key. As is clearly shown in Fig. 12, the dog 104 engages a shoulder 105 on the dog 81 so that when the dog 81 is moved upwardly to the raised position as shown in Fig. 13 for operation upon board sections of a length of 3 feet such dog 104 is also raised so as to be out of the path of movement of the key 94.

As is clearly shown in Fig. 12, the dog 103 is provided with a laterally extending pin 106 which normally rides on the upper edge of the plate 90 for holding the dog 103 at` the same elevation as is shown in said Fig. 12.

As is shown in Fig. 13, the upper edge of the plate 90 is provided with a downwardly offset portion 107 where the pin 106 is permitted to descend slightly for permitting` the forward end of the dog 103 to engage one of the teeth of said key. When the dog 103 moves forward and engages one of the teeth of the key 94, the key is given a forward movement with respect to the plates 89 and 90, being held against a return movement toward the left in said Fig. 12 by a latch 108 mounted on a shaft 109 carried by two arms 110 pivotally mounted on the bolt 92. The length of the notch 107 is such that the key 94 is given only a single step of movement corresponding to the distance between adjacent teeth on the key for each operative stroke of the link 44, the dog 103 being forced out of engagement with the teeth of the key bythe pin 106 riding up the incline at the end of the notch 107 at the right in Fig. 9s@ as to prevent more than one such step movement of the. key at each stroke of the link 44.

Means is provided for releasing the latch 108 upon the next succeeding operative stroke of. the link 44 toward theright in Fig. 12 after the key has reached a certain predetermined forward position. This means comprises an arm 111 pivotally mounted on a pivot pin 112 carried by the plate 90, as is shown in Figs. 14. and 15. A flat spring 113 presses against the arm 111, serving to swing the arm upwardly from the position as shown in Fig. 9 to the position as shown in Fig. 14 when the arm is free to move upwardly. Such upward movenient of the arm 111 is normally prevented by the engagement of the pin 95 with the upper edge of the arm 111, except when the hey 94 reaches the position as shown in said Fig. 14, when the pin 96 engages a notch 114 in the upper edge of the arm so as to permit the arm to swing upwardly. The arm 111 is provided with an upwardly extending lug 115 on its free end, adapted on upward movement of the arm to engage a pivotally mounted arm 115 also carried by the plate 90, and

adapted to carry such arm upwardly from the position shown in Figs. 9 and 15 to the position as shown in Fig. 14.

In operation, the dog 103 by engagement with the key 94 causes the key to move forward toward the right into the position as shown in Fig. 14, the dog 103 at the end of such operative stroke being in position underneath the latch 108 at the time when the pin 95 comes opposite the notch 114. In such position of the parts, the spring 113 presses upwardly on the arm 111, which applies upward pressure on the arm 116, which in turn presses upwardly on the dog 103 through the pin 10G. Such spring 113 is not sutliciently strong, however, for forcing the latch 108 out of engagement with the tooth of the key, so that the latch continues to hold the key against retraction toward the left in said figure. As soon as the dog 103 moves toward the left out of position underneath the latch 108 upon the return movement of the link 44, the spring 113 forces the arms 111 and 116 upwardly into the positions as shown in said Fig. 14. With the parts in these positions, upon the next succeeding operative stroke of the link 44 toward the right in said ligure the pin 100 of the dog 103 rides up the inclined upper edge of the arm 116 so as to carry the end of the dog intoengagement with a notch 117 in the latch 108, causing the dog 103 to force the latch 108 upwardly out of engagement with the key 94 which is then promptly returned toward the left by the spring 100.

With the parts in the condition of adjustment-as illustrated in Figs. 9 and 12 for-operation on board sections of a length of 4 or 5 feet, when the board sections reach the positions as shown in Fig. 17 and the trip arm is actuated for setting the cutting mechanism into operation, the link 44 isgiven an operative stroke toward theright; the .dog 103 engages the second tooth from the left on the key 94 and moves the key one tooths distance toward the right; at the end of this` movement of the key the lever 96 is swung ypromptly in clockwise direction for moving the stop arm 7 5 into operative position as shown in 8 for keeping the intermit-` ysection to its No. 2 position.

tent-ly driven rollers in continued rotation, .such swinging movement being effected by ieason of the movement of the pin 95 into engagement with the notch 97 of said lever 9G; by the same movement the pin 95 is brought into position opposite the notch 114 of the bear-ing against the trip arm 55, such new No.

1 board section is carried forward as soon as it is severed from the strip of board on the board machine; in the meantime, the dog 103 will have ridden up the edge of the arm 110, serving to release the latch 103 so as to permit the key 94 to move toward the left under the influence of the spring 100, this resulting` in the movement of the arms 111 and 11G downwardly and in the movement of the lever 96 into the position as shown in said Fig. 12 for withdrawing the stop arm 75 out of operative position; as the result of these changes, the clutch 59-60 is stopped promptly following the withdrawal of the cam 74 toward the left so as to stop the new No. 1 board section in the normal No. i?. position as shown in Fig. 17. The parts remain in this position without further change until the new No. 2 board section reaches the No. 1 position ready to be severed from the strip, whereupon the series of steps as above outlined are again enacted.

In the operation of our improved machine in practice in connection with 4 foot board sections, with the board machine operating at approximately feet per minute, the arrangement is such that the intermittently driven rollers 25 are silent for approximate- 1y 6 seconds after each No. 1 board section is forwarded to the No. 2 position and while the No. 2 section is advancing to position to be severed, after which the rollers are kept in continuous rotation for approximately 10 seconds for carrying said two board sections away and-for carrying the new No. 1 board That is to say, the rollers 25 are operated for successive 10 second perio'dswith intermediate 6 second periods of rest. f

lith the parts in the condition of adjustment as shown in Figs. 13 and 14 for operation on board sections of a length of feet5 the operation is the same as that above described, except that the rollers Q5 are givenan additional period 'of rest. In practice, in operation on 3 foot board sections, the rollers 25 are driven forfapproximately 8 seconds for carrying the three board sections away and for positioning the new No. 1 board section in its No. 2 position; the rollers 25 are then stopped for a period of about 4 seconds, operated then for a period of about 2 seconds, and then again stopped for a period of about 4 seconds prior to the 3 second run as above suggested.

l ith the parts in the condition of adjustment' as shown in Figs. 13 and 14 for operation on 3 foot board sections, the key 94 is normally moved farther to the left by the spring 100 upon the adjustment of the lever 46 than the extreme position of the key when operating upon 4 or 5 foot sect-ions. In the arrangement as shown, this additional movement of the key 94 toward the left corresponds to the distance between two succeeding teeth on the key. Inasmuch as the dog 103 can move the key only a single tooths distance for each operative stroke of the link 44 it will be clear that it will require an additional stroke of the link 44 for bringing the key to the critical position at which the pin 95 engages the notches in the lever 96 and the arm 111. The latch 108 is adapted to hold the key 94 Vin its intermediate position upon the retraction of the dog 103 after its initial actuation of the key 94.

By the use of our improved construction, upon an adjustment of the trip arm for cutting board sections of different lengths, they required adjustments are made automatically.' without any necessity for attention by the attendant, for forwarding 3 foot board sections three at a time, for forwarding 4 or 5 foot sections two at a time, and for forwarding all Vsections of a length of 6 feet or more one at a time. The arrangement is such that the operation is automatic and effective in every way for forwarding the board sections in the best possible arrangement for edective drying in the kiln to which the scctions are delivered.

Vhile we prefer to employ the form of mechanism as shown in our drawings and as above described.I it is to be understood that we do not limit our invention to the precise form shown except so far as the claims may be so limited by the prior art.r it being understood that changes might well be made in the form and arrangement without departing from the spirit of our invention.

IVe claim 1. A mechanism of the'type described for taking board sections from the cutting mechanism rof a board machine, comprising in combination a conveyer for carrying forward board sections delivered successively thereto, a reciprocatory member moved in timed relation to t-he operation of the cutting mechanism, trip mechanism actuated by the advancing board for controlling the movement of said reciprocatory member, and means controlled by said trip mechanism for throwing said conveyer into ojieration intel'- mittently for carrying th-e severed board sections forward.

2. In a mechanism of the type described for taking board sections from the cutting mechanism of a board machine, the combination of a cutter head adapted to move forward intermittently in timed relation to the operation of the cutting mechanism, trip mechanism actuated by the advancing board for controlling the movement of said cutter head, a conveyer adapted to receive the board as the board advances past the cutting means, and means controlled by the movement of the board along the conveyer and actuated by the forward movement of the cutter head for throwing said conveyer into operation for carrying the severed board sections forwar-d.

3. A mechanism of the type described for taking board sections from the cutting mechanism of a board machine, comprising in combination a conveyer adapted to receive the board as the board advances past the cutting means, and means controlled by the movement of the board along the conveyer for giving said conveyer a limited forward movement for carrying a short severed board section forward and controlled further by the movement of the board along the conveyer for giving said conveyer a second forward movement for carrying forward together said first named board section and the board section next thereafter severed from the board.

4. A mechanism of the type described for taking board sections from the cutting mechanism of aboard machine, comprising in combination a conveyer adapted to receive the board as the board advances past the cutting means, and means controlled by the movement of the board along the conveyer for giving said conveyer a limited forward movement for carrying a short severed board section forward and controlled further by the movement of the board along the conveyer for giving said conveyer a second forward movement for carrying forward together said first named board section and the board section next thereafter severed from the board and operating in timed relation to the forward movement of the board sections for throwing the conveyer out of operation after said two sectionshave moved forward a predetermined distance.

5. A mechanism of the type described for taking board sections from the cutting mechanism of a board machine, comprising in combination a conveyer adapted to receive the board as the board advances past the cutting means, and means controlled by the movement of the board along the conveyer for giving said conveyer a limited forward movement for carrying a short severed board section forward and controlled further by the movement of the board along the conveyer for giving said conveyer a second forward movement for carrying forward together said first named board section and the board section neXt thereafter severed from the board and operating in timed relation to the forward movement of the board for throwing the conveyer out of operation after said two sections have received a predetermined forward movement and the neXt succeeding board section has been severed and has been given by said conveyer an initial forward movement beyond said cutting mechanism.

6. A mechanism of the type described for taking board sections from the cutting mechanism of a board machine, comprising in combinatiou a conveyer of a. length for carrying forward together a series of short board sections in end to end relation to each other, and means controlled by the lmovement of the board along the conveyer for throwing the conveyer into operation intermittently for carrying successively severed board sections forward by a step by step movement correspending substantially to the length of the sections and opera-ting after the last board section of a series has been severed to move the several sections forward together clear of the conveyer.

7 In a mechanism of the type-described for taking board sections from the cutting mechanism of a board machine, the combination of a cutter head adapted to move forward intermittently in timed relation to the operation of the cutting mechanism, trip mechanism actuated by the advancing board for controlling the movement of said cutter head, a conveyer adapted to receive the board as the board advances past the cutting means, clutch means for driving said conveyer intermittently, and means controlled by the movement of the board along the conveyer and actuated by the forward movement of the cutting means for throwing said clutch means into operation for operating said conveyer for carrying the severed board sections forward.

8. A mechanism of the type described for taking board sections from the cutting mechanism of a board machine, comprising in combination a conveyer for carrying forward board sections delivered successively thereto, a reciprocatory member moved in timed rela.- tion to the operation of the cutting mechanism, means actuated by said reciprocatory member for throwing said conveyer into operation upon each stroke in one direction and out of operation upon each reverse stroke, and adjustable means adapted when set differentially to control the length of successive periods of operation of said conveyer.

9. A mechanism of the type described `for taking board sections from the cutting mechanism of a board machine, comprising in combination a conveyer for carrying forward board sections delivered successively thereto, a reciprocatory member moved in timed relation to the operation of the cutting mechanism, a second reciprocatory member, means actuated by said second reciprocatory member for throwing said conveyer into operation upon each stroke in one direction and out of operation upon each reverse stroke, and lost motion connections between said two reciprocatory members for controlling the length of the period during which said second reciprocatory member is in operative position upon each stroke for controlling thus the time of operation of said conveyer.

10. A mechanism of the type described for taking board sections from the cutting mechanism of a board machine, comprising in combination a conveyer for carrying forward board sections delivered successively thereto, a reciprocatory member moved in timed relation to the operation of the cutting mechanisnna second reciprocatory member, means actuated by said second reciprocatory member for throwing said conveyer into operation upon each stroke in one directionk and out of operation upon each reverse stroke, lost motion connections between said two reciprocatory members for lcontrolling the length of the period during which said second reciprocatory member is in operative position upon each stroke for controlling thus the time of operation of said conveyer, and means adapted alternatively for taking up said lost motion in the direction for shortening the effective length of the connected members for cutting down the length of the period during which said reciprocatory member is in operative position upon each stroke serving thus to shorten the time of operation of the conveyer.

11. In a mechanism of the type described for taking board sections from the cutting mechanism of a board machine, the combination of trip mechanism adjustable along the path of the board past the cutting means actuated by the advancing board for throwing the cutting means into operation for severing different lengths of board section, a conveyer for carrying forward board sections after successive cutting operations, a reciprocatory member moved in timed relation to the operation of the cutting mechanism, a second reciprocatory member, means actuated by said second reciprocatory member for throwing said conveyer into operation upon each stroke in one direction and out of operation upon each stroke in the reverse direction, lost motion connections between said two reciprocatory members vfor controlling the length of the period during which said second reciproca-tory member is in operative position upon eachstroke for controlling thus the time of operation of said conveyer, adjustable means adapted alternatively for taking up said lost motion in the direction for shortening the eiectivelength of the Aconnected membersfor cutting down the length of the period during which said second reciprocatory member is in operative position upon each stroke serving thus to shorten the time of operation of the conveyer, and means adapted upon an adjustment of said trip mechanism along the path of the board to etl'ectvan automatic adjustment for taking up said lost motion whereby the time of operation of the conveyer is cut down when operating on shorter lengths of board section.

l2. A mechanism of the type described for taking board sections from the cutting mechanism of a board machine, comprising in combination a conveyer for carrying forward board sections delivered successively thereto, a reciprocatory member moved in timed relation to the operation of the cutting mechanism, means actuated by said reciprocatory member for throwing said conveyer into operation upon an operative stroke in one directionl and withdrawn lupon a reverse stroke for permitting the conveyer to be thrown out of operation, and means controlled by the movement of the last of a series of board sections into position on said conveyer for holdingthe conveyer in operation independently of the reciprocatory memberduring a reverse stroke and the next succeeding operative stroke of said reciprocatory member serving to keep the conveyer in operation for clearing the accumulated board sections from the conveyer and for stopping the first board section of the next succeeding series of sections in its initial stopped position on said conveyer. l

'13. A mechanism ofthe type described for taking 'board sections froml the cutting mechanism of a board machine, comprising incombination a conveyer for carrying forward board sections delivered successively thereto, a reciprocatory member moved in timed relation to the operation of the cutting mechanism, means actuated by said reciprocatory member Jfor throwing said conveyer into operation upon an operative stroke in one direction, a key movably mounted with respect to said reciprocatory member, yielding means adapted to resist movement of the key with respect to said reciprocatory member, means actuated by successive movements of said reciprocatory member for giving said key a stepped movement with respect to the reciprocatory member againstthe action of said yielding means, latching means for holding said key releasably in changed position, means adapted to operate when said key reaches a predetermined critical position with respect to the reciprocatory memberfor maintaining said lconveyer in operation during the next succeeding return and operative strokes of said reciprocatory member, and means adapted upon said succeeding operative stroke of the reciprocatory member to release said key for permitting said yielding means to return the key to normal retracted position.

14. A mechanism of the type described for taking board sections from the cutting mechanism of a board machine, comprising in combination a conveyer for carrying forward board sections delivered successively thereto, a reciprocatory member moved in timed relation to the operation of the cutting mechanism, means actuated by said reciprocatory member for throwing said conveyer into operation upon an operative stroke in one direction, a key movably mounted with respect to said reciprocatory member, yielding means adapted to resist movement ot the key with respect to said reciprocatory member, a pawl carried by said reciprocatory member adapted by engagement with teeth on said key to give said key a step by step movement with respect to the reciprocatory member against the action of said yielding means, latching means for holding said key .releasably in changed position, means adapted to operate when said key reaches a. predetermined critical position with respect to the reciprocatory member for maintaining said conveyer in operation during the next succeeding' return and o perative strokes of said reciprocatory member, and means adapted upon said succeeding operative stroke ot the reciprocatory member to release said key for permitting said yielding means to return the key to normal retracted position.

15. A mechanism of the type described for taking board sections from the cutting mechanism of aboard machine, comprising` in combination a conveyer for carrying forward board sections delivered successively thereto, a reciprocatory member moved in timed relation to the operation of the cutting mechanism, means actuated by said reciprocatory member for throwing said conveyer into operation upon an operative stroke in one direction, a key movably mounted with respect to said reciprocatory member, yielding means adapted to resist movement of the key with respect to said reciprocatory member, a pawl carried by said reciprocatory member adapted by engagement with teeth on said key to give said key a step by step movement with respect to the reciprocatory member against the action of said yielding' means, latching means for holding said key releasably in changed position, means adapt-ed to operate when said key reaches a predetermined critical position with respect to the reciprocatory member for maintaining said conveyer in operation during the .nent succeeding return and operative strokes of said reciprocatory mem ber, and means adapted upon said succeeding operative stroke ot the reciprocatory member to hold said pawl in adjusted position for causing the pawl by engagement with said latching means to release the latching means for permitting said yielding means to return the key to normal retracted position.

16. A mechanism of the type described for taking board sections from the cutting mechanism of a board machine, comprising in combination a conveyer for carrying forward board sections delivered successively thereto, a. reciprocatory member moved in timed relation to the operation of the cutting mechanism, means actuated'by said reciprocatory member for throwing said conveyer into operation upon an operative stroke in one direction, a key movably mounted with respect to said reciprocatory member, yielding means adapted to resist movement of the key with respect to said reciprocatory member, means actuated by successive movements of said reciprocatory member for giving said key a stepped movement with respect to the reciprocatory member against the action of said yielding means, latching means for holding said key releasably in changed position, a movably mounted stop adapted when in operative position to maintain said conveyer in operation, a control member movably mounted adjacent to the path of movement of said key and connected with said stop adapted when the key reaches a predetermined critical position to move said stop into operative position, and means adapted upon the next succeeding operative stroke of said reciprocatory member to release said key for permitting said yielding means to return the key to normal retracted position and serving to move said control member for displacing said stop from operative position.

17. A mechanism of the type described for taking board sections from the cutting mechanism of a board machine, comprising in combination a conveyer for carrying forward board sections delivered successively thereto, a reciprocatory member moved in timed relation to the operation ot' the cutting mechanism, means actuated by said reciprocatory member for throwing said conveyer into operation upon an operative stroke in one direction, a key movably mounted with respect to said reciprocatory member, yielding means adapted to resist movement of the key with respect to said reciprocatory member, a pawl carried by said reciprocatory member adapted by engagement with teeth on said key to give said key a step by step movement with respect to the reciprocatory member against the action of said yielding means, latching means :tor holding said key releasably in changed position, means adapted to operate when said key reaches a predetermined critical position with respect to the reciprocatory member for maintaining said conveyer in operation during the next succeeding return and operative strokes of said reciprocatory member, means adapted upon said succeeding' operative stroke of the reciprocatory member to release said key for permitting said yielding means to return the key to normal retracted position, and adjustable means for limiting the backward movement of said key With respect to said reciprocatory member for controlling the number of steps of movement necessary for bringing the key to said critical position.

18. A mechanism of the type described for taking board sections from the cutting mechanism of a board machine, comprising in combination a conveyer for carrying forward board sections delivered successively thereto, a reciprocatory member moved in timed relation to the operation of the cutting mechanism, means actuated by said reciprocatory member for throwing said conveyer into operation upon an operative stroke in one direction, a key movably mounted with respect to said reciprocatory member, yielding means adapted to resist movement of the key With respect to said reciprocatory member, a pawl carried by said reciprocatory member adapted by engagement With teeth on said key to give said key a step by step movement With respect to the reciprocatory member against the action of said yielding means, latching means for holding said key releasably in changed position, means adapted to operate When said key reaches a predetermined critical-position With respect to the reciprocatory member for maintaining said conveyer in operation during the next succeeding return and operative strokes of said reciprocatory member, means adapted upon said succeeding operative stroke of the reciprocatory member to release said key Jfor permitting Said yielding means to return the key to normal retracted position, and means adapted to limit the effective length of the stroke of said paWl for advancing said key for causing the key to be advanced only a single step at each actuation by the paWl.

DOUGLAS C. JEFFREY. HENRY J. WOLFE. 

